Bond Length and Bond Order in One of the Shortest Cr-Cr Bonds

Multiconfigurational quantum chemical calculations on the R-diimines dichromium compound confirm that the Cr-Cr bond, 1.80 angstrom, is among the shortest Cr-I-Cr-I bonds. However, the bond between the two Cr atoms is only a quadruple bond rather than a quintuple bond. The reason why the bond is so short has to be attributed to the strain in the NCCN ligand moieties.